Springfield Police host 5th annual open house

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SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- From kids dressing in SWAT gear to K9 unit demos, the public got a firsthand look at everything the Springfield Police Department does to protect its citizens on Saturday at their 5th annual open house event.

As Saturday also marked national “Thank A Police Officer” day, Springfield Police Captain Rich Lewis said the open house is a good opportunity to bring the community and police department together.

“The kids get a chance to sit in the police car, to go in the back of the swat van … those are things you don't get to do everyday,” Cpt. Lewis said.

Lewis said their department receives over 90,000 non-emergency calls each year. The over 500 community members who came out to the department’s open house got to tour the facility where those calls are handled.

“It’s a chance for citizens to come down there in a very informal fashion and have a chance to ask questions they've always wanted to ask,” said Cpt. Lewis.